Back to teenage years — gas is cheap but we have to stay home

Gas Was Cheap in the 70’s

In last week’s Post paper I listed a comment from Bruce Large who stated “gasoline is cheaper now that ever he could remember.” He said he feels like a teenager again  when gas was cheap but he had to stay home! Well, my friend Bruce Robinette sent me an internet message and reminded me that Bruce did not provide a date.  He believed the cheap price left us in 1974. 

As part of “The Nixon Shock” in 1971, then President Richard M. Nixon, in response to the increasing inflation, froze wages and prices on commodities, surcharges on imports and the unilateral cancellation of the direct international convertibility of the United States dollar to gold. 

The unemployment rate in August, 1971 was 6.1% and the inflation rate was at 5.84%. As you can see the U.S. was in deep trouble.

I remember Gary was employed at Central Supply Company located in Andover and he told me that the suppliers were locked in on the price of their products and could not increase any prices. Unfortunately, neither could Central Supply. They had a price sheet  (which was BC- before computers) and price adjustments were done manually. Some prices had advanced before the price sheets could be adjusted but the company was locked in on the wholesale pricing to the end user.

I said all this to give you some background non pricing. Now back to Bruce Large’s statement of cheap gas. In 1972 the retail national price was $.36 per gallon, in 1973 the price was $.39 per gallon. In 1974 the price jumped to $.53, 1979 price was $.86 and in 1980 the price jumped to $1.19 per gallon. During the price freeze 1071 through 1973 there were long lines at all the gas stations and all you could do was wait your turn. If the fuel sold out before you got to the pump you had to try to find a station that had gas. I remember the days and it was NOT fun.

Bruce Robinette told me “that the word on the street said when the price gets to $1.00 a gallon there would be plenty”and it was true. It was scary to think you could not get gasoline and it was a panic at the pumps. But in time it all passed and we adjusted to higher gasoline prices.

We have had many panics in the last 75 years but none like the panic this virus has brought to everyone. Be careful and stay the course and this will pass also.

Lawn Mower Accident

Our old friend Bill Wilder had an accident on his riding lawn mower last Friday. He suffered a head injury and was med flighted to Johnson City, TN. He is off the respirator and is still in very serious condition. We talked to his wife Rita and his sister Pat Wilder and they ask for your continued prayer for Bill.

Happy Birthday

Phyllis Jervis Bush in Fulton, TN would like to wish her husband Elbert Bush a happy 71st birthday on Tuesday, April 21st, The Bush’s were residents of this area for several years.

Friday, April 24th a lady in Appalachia will be  celebrating  her birthday. Betty Collins is her name. Her brother Mayor Ted Collins wishes her a very happy birthday.

Saturday, April 25th, Gary Bowman in Andover wants to wish his lovely wife Carol a happy birthday.

Sunday, April 26th my niece Karen VanWinkle will be celebrating her birthday.

Dogwoods in Bloom

I feel like I am waiting for Easter to come. I look out my window and see the pink dogwood and the white dogwood in full bloom! The white and purple lilac trees, all of these are a perfect picture of Easter.

I know this year’s Easter was no way we have ever celebrated this great event. I see the signs God has blessed us with to enjoy this beautiful spring. With being quarantined to stay at home I have more time to enjoy this beauty. We do take a road trip in our car and the beauty is everywhere we travel.

Mine Reopens

Thankfully the Patriot mines opened back up on Monday. This affected 40 families in our area.

Appalachia Towers Quarantine Lifted

The Appalachian Towers had the quarantine lifted last Monday, April 20th. There were several cases of the virus hospitalized and one did not survive. Appalachia Fire and Rescue Squad worked diligently to deliver the food, meds and supplies donated by various companies, churches, individuals and businesses.

This made the quarantine more bearable when they have these supplies provided for them.

Happy Anniversary

Anniversary celebration for Patsy and Steve Hubbard. Well past 50 years of marriage! Steve and Patsy graduated from Appalachia High School. They have made their home in the Seminary section of Big Stone Gap for many years. Happy anniversary to a very loving couple.